Photos from Our August Charity Hub Summer Networking Event

Last week, The Charity Hub brought people together at Cusworth Hall for a summer networking event with a difference.

Hosted outdoors with Lou from Inner Sunshine, the morning focused on connection, wellbeing, nature and community. It gave attendees the chance to step away from the usual meeting-room setting and take part in a relaxed Forest Bathing session surrounded by the grounds of Cusworth Hall.

We now have the chance to share some of the photos from the morning and look back on what made the event feel so special.

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Forest Bathing with Inner Sunshine

Lou from Inner Sunshine guided attendees through a Forest Bathing session that encouraged people to slow down, notice their surroundings and reconnect with nature.

The session included grounding exercises, moving meditation and a sensory journey through the sights and sounds of the outdoor setting. It was a calm and thoughtful way to bring people together, especially during a very warm summer morning.

For many people working in charities, community organisations and support services, time to pause can be rare. The session gave attendees a chance to reflect on wellbeing, self-care and the importance of nature in helping people feel more settled and connected.

Creating Journey Sticks

One of the most memorable parts of the morning was the networking walk.

As attendees walked and talked, they collected natural items that caught their attention. These were then wrapped onto a stick using coloured yarn, creating a Journey Stick to take home.

Each Journey Stick became a small reminder of the walk, the conversations and the importance of taking time to notice what is around us.

It was a simple activity, but it helped create a relaxed and creative atmosphere. It also gave people something different to talk about, making the networking feel more natural and less formal.

A Warm Morning in More Ways Than One

The temperature reached around 30°C on the day, so we made sure there was plenty of water available and encouraged everyone to take care of themselves throughout the morning.

Despite the heat, the event had a really positive feel. People took part, supported one another, joined conversations and embraced a different kind of networking experience.

It was warm in every sense of the word, not just because of the weather, but because of the people who came along and helped create such a welcoming atmosphere.

Why Events Like This Matter

The Charity Hub networking events are about bringing charities, CICs, community organisations, businesses, suppliers and local partners together.

Sometimes that happens through guest speakers and structured conversations. Sometimes it happens around tables. And sometimes, as this event showed, it happens while walking outdoors, collecting natural treasures and making something together.

Different settings can create different conversations.

This event reminded us that connection does not always need to be formal to be meaningful. When people feel comfortable, conversations can happen more naturally, and relationships can begin to grow in a more open and relaxed way.

Thank You

Thank you to Lou and Inner Sunshine for leading such a thoughtful session.

Thank you to everyone who attended, took part and helped make the morning what it was. We are grateful to everyone who continues to support The Charity Hub and help us create spaces where good people can come together.

We hope you enjoy looking through some of the moments captured from the day.